GBP/USD Rises as Bank of England’s Hawkish Tone Lends Support—What’s Next for the Pound?

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By Emma Caldwell

Pound Sterling Rebounds: Business up for GBP/USD as BoE adopts a more dovish tone
The GBP/USD pair has slightly bounced up and is trading above 1.27 after the Bank of England hint on alertness on inflation. This resurgence of the hawkish tone, along with technical signals which have shown improvement can really help the British Pound after weeks of flatline movements. This trend, however, is expected to continue up to December 2024; market participants await whether there will be a sustainable path considering the current mixed economic signals.

The increasing of GBP/USD is not only because of BoE’s outlook, but also shows that the US Dollar has slightly pulled back slowly. Although, the Federal fund has consistently remained in favor of a strong greenback, changing dynamics in monetary policies have paved way for pound to come back into the rooting.

Bank of England Stance: What’s Driving the Pound?
The new communication of the Bank of England appears to indicate that it is set to tackle inflationary threats despite the weakness that has bare itself out in the UK economy. The Governor Andrew Bailey along with some digits and matrix signs preached more prudently but was also more hawkish and rate hawks suggest that the rates might stay high for a longer time. Only last month, market analysts expected the Bank of England to shift its monetary policy to a more accommodative stance due to a slowing economy.

Within the recently released statements, members of the BoE underlined the importance of preventing the inflation rate to reassert, pointed to the ongoing inflation pressures in sectors of the economy. This has boosted the Pound as normally; high interest rates are desirable to attract more investors. Nonetheless, the BoE’s approach is relative risky since higher borrowing costs may affect consumers’ expenditure and economic growth.

Technical Analysis: Can GBP/USD Hold Above 1.27?
In tradings terms, GBP USD has done a breakout of the important 1.2700 level and everybody is rushing to buy. Scholars believe that sustaining a pace beyond this region may help open the way to additional increases. Resistance is currently located at 1.2750, with a breakout opening up 1.28 and above.

A continued support above the 50-day moving average has kept technical traders buoyant for the pair. However, downside risks persist which appear more evident should early upcoming US economic data or signals by the Federal reserve revive demand for the Dollar. To their current up move, there is support at 1.2650 which, in the event of a break, should reverse.

Brexit might cause some investors to stay clear of the pound, US dollar weakness means that these investors now have an opportunity to buy.
The US Dollar has been and still remains a clear winner within the year 2024 in the currency markets, but the signs of its weakening are noticeable due to traders reconsidering the intent of the Federal Reserve. The focus on inflation is within the Fed’s policy framework, and new data on the cooling labor market may force the committee to be more cautious with additional tightening.

This change in dynamics of the Dollar has created an opportunity for GBP/USD to punch out. However, what is more important now can change quickly given the uncertainty regarding market direction before a speech from Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell and reports on inflation and employment. Since the Pound is somewhat fragile having witnessed some recent strength, then any aggressive surprise from the Fed will not augur well.

Outlook: What to Watch for Next?
The road ahead for GBP/USD depends on several factors:

Bank of England Policy: Will the BoE maintain its inflation fighting mode, or will slowed growth prompt a change of direction? Markets will be focusing on any changes made on the BoE’s inflation expectation and recommendation on rates.

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